2026

GermanFest Schedule

Pre-Festival
Main FEstival
Familienfest

Pre-Festival

The excitement of GermanFest kicks off early with Pre-Festival Events hosted by the four German-American clubs of Fort Wayne! Starting the Sunday before the festival, these events take place at various locations around the city, offering a taste of German culture, community, and tradition before the main celebration begins

  • 12:00 PM | 6th Annual GermanFest Schnitzelfest

    Fort Wayne Turners
    3636 Parnell Ave.
    Fort Wayne, IN 46805

    Join us for the 6th Annual Germanfest Schnitzelfest at Fort Wayne Turners!

    Come out Sunday at noon to 3636 Parnell Ave for a day full of great food, games, and fun for the whole community. Enjoy delicious schnitzel, brats, and more while celebrating German heritage and kicking off a full week of Germanfest festivities in Fort Wayne.

    The kickball tournament begins at 2:00 PM and is open to everyone — whether you’re playing or just cheering from the sidelines, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

    Bring your friends, family, and appetite for an afternoon of food, fun, and community spirit. Prost!

    4:30 PM | Heimat Abend

    Park Edelweiss
    3355 Elmhurst Dr.
    Fort Wayne, IN 46809

    Annual GermanFest Concert featuring the Fort Wayne Maennerchor/Damenchor. Doors open at 4:oo pm. Concert at 4:30. followed by a social hour with "Kaffe und Kuchen" -- coffee and cake. The event is free; freewill offering accepted. Cash bar also available.


  • 12:15 PM | Organ Recital

    First Presbyterian Church
    300 West Wayne Street
    Fort Wayne, IN 46802

    Recitalist: Colin Andrews

  • 12:15 PM | Organ Recital

    Trinity Episcopal Church
    611 West Berry Street
    Fort Wayne, IN 46802

    Recitalist: Noah Vancina

    6:00 PM | Spaten Night

    Fort Wayne Sport Club
    3102 Ardmore Ave.
    Fort Wayne, IN 46802

    CHECKIN BEGINS: 5:00 pm
    PLAY STARTS: 6:00 pm

    DIVISIONS:
    Recreational Division-Open to all players looking for friendly competition, but prioritize fun and a less intense style of play.

    Competitive Division-For skilled, serious players competing to win. Expect fast-paced, physical, and high-intensity matches.

    GAMEPLAY:
    - 6v6 / No goalie
    - Half field
    - Small goals
    - Games will be 25 minutes
    - All team play 3 games minimum
    - No offsides rule.
    - No slide tackling, dangerous, or reckless play allowed.
    - Call your own fouls.
    - All players must be age 18+

    Enter as a team or individual. Food and drinks will be available for purchase in the clubhouse. Spaces are limited so register today!

    Register here!

  • 12:15 PM | Organ Recital

    First Wayne Street United Methodist Church
    300 East Wayne Street
    Fort Wayne, IN 46802

    Recitalist: Dr. Geoffrey North

    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | GHS Abend by German Heritage Society

    Hop River Brewing Company
    1515 N Harrison St
    Fort Wayne, IN 46805

    Come join Fort Wayne German Heritage Society for German food, drink, and music!

Main Festival

Join us at Headwaters Park East for Fort Wayne’s biggest festival, GermanFest, where Fort Wayne comes alive with four days of authentic German food, beer, music, entertainment, and games! From lively polka bands and folk dancers to stein hoisting contests and delicious bratwurst, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

  • 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM | Bilingual German Storytime - Zweisprachige Vorlesestunde 📖 - Offsite

    ACPL Main Library
    900 Library Plz
    Fort Wayne, IN 46802

    Join us for a bilingual storytime in German and English!
    Schließen Sie uns an, für eine zweisprachige Märchenstunde auf Deutsch und Englisch!

    11:00 AM | Festival Tent Opens 🎉

    ALL Day l | Hammerschlagen hosted by Power Up 🔨
    Step up to the stump and test your hammer skills in this classic German nail-driving game! Hammerschlagen is a fun and competitive challenge where each player takes turns trying to drive a nail into a wooden log—using precision, not just power.

    11:30AM - 3:00PM | The Sound of Sorgenbrecher🎵

    12:15 PM | Organ Recital- Offsite

    St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
    2120 South Harrison Street
    Fort Wayne, IN 46802

    Recitalist: Michael Dulac

    3:30PM - 7:00PM | Jay Fox and the Jammin’ Germans 🎵

    6:00 PM | Official keg tapping! 🍺

    6:30PM | Fort Wayne Tänzer🕺💃

    7:30AM - 11:00PM | Gerhard Albinus & The Überland Band🎵

    9:00 PM | Legs n Lederhosen 🩳
    Get ready for the ultimate showdown of calves and creativity! Contestants in lederhosen (or wildly creative interpretations thereof) perform behind a partial curtain, visible only from the waist down.

    Our panel of judges will score based on presentation, authenticity, originality, and form—but identities stay hidden until the winners are revealed!

    Sign up at the info booth!

    11:00 PM | Festival Tent Closes👋

  • 11:00 AM | Festival Tent Opens 🎉

    ALL Day l | Hammerschlagen hosted by Power Up 🔨
    Step up to the stump and test your hammer skills in this classic German nail-driving game! Hammerschlagen is a fun and competitive challenge where each player takes turns trying to drive a nail into a wooden log—using precision, not just power.

    11:30AM - 3:00PM | Jay Fox and the Jammin’ Germans 🎵

    12:15 PM | Organ Recital- Offsite

    Zion Lutheran Church
    2313 Hanna Street
    Fort Wayne, IN 46803

    Recitalist: Michael Hollman

    3:30PM - 7:00PM | Gerhard Albinus & The Überland Band🎵

    5:30PM | Fort Wayne Tänzer🕺💃

    7:00 PM | Masskrugstemmen 🍺
    Think you’ve got what it takes to go the distance? Step into the spotlight for Masskrugstemmen, the stein hoisting challenge!

    Come cheer on the competitors or try it yourself—it’s a crowd favorite that brings big laughs, big cheers, and big biceps.

    Sign up at the info booth!

    7:00 PM | GermanFest 5K
    Join Epic Racing Events for the Germanfest 5K.  Join us on Friday night and kick off your weekend with a great 5K followed by the Germanfest festival. The race will begin and end at Lawton Park. Attend the Germanfest festival after the race for free with race bib.  Race 1 of the Epic racing Summer series.

    7:30PM - 11:00PM | The Sound of Sorgenbrecher🎵 

    11:00 PM | Festival Tent Closes 👋

  • 11:00 AM | Festival Tent Opens

    ALL Day l | Hammerschlagen hosted by Power Up 🔨
    Step up to the stump and test your hammer skills in this classic German nail-driving game! Hammerschlagen is a fun and competitive challenge where each player takes turns trying to drive a nail into a wooden log—using precision, not just power.

    11:00 AM - 6:00PM | FamilienFest (Headwaters West)

    11:30 AM- 3:00PM | Jay Fox and the Jammin' Germans🎵

    2:00PM | Fort Wayne Tänzer🕺💃

    3:30PM - 7:00PM | The Sound of Sorgenbrecher🎵

    4:00PM | Fort Wayne Tänzer🕺💃

    6:00PM | Fort Wayne Tänzer🕺💃

    7:00 PM | Polka Like a Star
    Ready to dance your heart out? Join Patric Didier and his talented team for a lively evening of spins, steps, and smiles during Polka Like a Star!

    🎶 Kick things off with a fun, beginner-friendly polka lesson, then show off your moves in a friendly dance competition. Dancers will compete in a process of elimination—so bring your energy, rhythm, and flair!

    Stop by the information booth to sign-up!

    7:30PM - 11:00PM | Jay Fox and the Jammin' Germans🎵

    8:30PM | Fort Wayne Tänzer🕺💃

    11:00 PM | Festival Tent Closes👋

  • 11:00 AM | Festival Tent Opens 🎉

    ALL Day l | Hammerschlagen hosted by Power Up 🔨
    Step up to the stump and test your hammer skills in this classic German nail-driving game! Hammerschlagen is a fun and competitive challenge where each player takes turns trying to drive a nail into a wooden log—using precision, not just power.

    11:30AM | Fort Wayne Tänzer🕺💃

    Noon - 5:00PM | The Indianapolis Liederkranz Band🎵

    1:30PM | Fort Wayne Tänzer🕺💃

    3:30PM | Fort Wayne Tänzer🕺💃

    5:00 PM | Festival Tent Closes👋